Quiz: Howstuffworks

Which WWII General Are You?

Zoe Samuel

Image: Buddy Mays / Corbis / Getty Images

About This Quiz

World War II is the war that stands out perhaps more than all other wars. It created the world order that became the landscape of the rest of the 20th century. It set the tone for the conduct of war for the rest of the century, as well as cementing the tactics used for state on state warfare to the present day. It also, to paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, produced the great generals. The generals who fought in WWII were nearly all veterans of the so-called "War To End All Wars" that preceded it. They had seen the horrors of modern technology brought into the battlefield. They knew about how technology was advancing, what made a modern soldier effective, and the stakes of losing the war they were now in charge of.

Each general in WWII had his own persona, favored tactics, leadership style and track record. Some were known for stoicism, others for cunning, still others for brutality. No two were alike. Those who survived the war went on to live lives in peacetime, either as civilians or in continued military service, but each carried with them the weight of their decisions made during the war. Which WWII general are you? Take this personality quiz, and we'll tell you.

How rough was your childhood?

Not very rough

I grew up eating nails and broken glass.

It was a life of privilege.

Rough enough

What virtue did your role models embody, above all other virtues?

Vision

Will

Cunning

Morality

How do you take criticism?

I take my licks but I don't have to like it.

I say nothing, then back-stab later if possible.

I argue, vehemently.

I take note, but I don't always follow it.

How do you feel when a challenge becomes really drawn out?

I roll up my sleeves and do things myself.

I double down.

I change tactics.

I rearrange my resources.

What's your preferred card game?

Bridge

War

Poker

Blackjack

Which pre-1900 general do you admire most?

Washington

Genghis Khan

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Sun Tzu

What one modern weapon do you think would have most helped The Allies, early in WWII?

ICBMs

Social media, and its hacking

Modern firearms

NATO

Which WWII battle do you think would make the best film?

The Second Battle of El Alamein

The Battle of Stalingrad

D-Day

Operation Cobra

How well do you adapt when your tools are taken away?

I find a way to make myself useful.

I redouble my efforts with what I still have.

I change my strategy and tactics accordingly.

I find a way to replace them.

How well do you communicate with your subordinates?

Not well

Not at all

Reasonably well

Very well

How do you explain things to your superiors?

I use charm.

I try not to emote much, and make my victories their victories.

I don't have superiors.

Honestly, and without flourishes

What do you do if you accidentally show up the boss?

Say something self-deprecating

Hide somewhere, expecting death

Pat myself on the back

Take his job

What method do you use to motivate your subordinates to do a good job?

Treat them with the care and respect they deserve.

Threats

Put them in a situation where they have to work hard just to survive

Work just as hard as they do

When the going gets tough, how do you get?

Flummoxed

Target-fixed

Self-conscious

Calm

In what kind of weather do you perform best?

Temperate weather

The freezing cold

Comfortable weather

Hot weather

What kind of non-work-related activities do you engage in to make you better at your job?

I study recreational math.

I work out.

I immerse myself in culture.

I read everything.

How do you behave in victory?

I congratulate the team.

I kick my opponent while they are down.

I spike the football.

I help up my fallen opponent.

How good are you at keeping secrets?

Not great

Terrible

Pretty good

Excellent

What's your blind spot?

I find it difficult to trust others.

Morality

Ego

I trust too much.

How inspiring are you?

A bit

Not at all

Fairly

Very

Which theater of the war was the most interesting, historically speaking?

The North African Theater

The Eastern Front

The Western Front

The Pacific

What is the single most important element in war?

Organization

Ruthlessness

Surprise

Intelligence

Where do you draw the line?

Hurting civilians

Draw the what?

Destroying ourselves to destroy our enemies

Doing anything more than what is necessary to win

What's your vice?

Scotch

Vodka

Wine

Cigars

What lesson do you take from WWI?

The draft is wrong.

You need to be willing to let your own side lose a lot to win.

The people in charge are always fighting the last war.

War will only get harder as things advance.

How do you feel about the use of atomic weaponry?

It sound horrifying.

It's fantastic!

I think the threat is enough.

It's immoral.

What would you do after fighting a war?

Stop the world from making the same mistakes

Nothing

Take over

Find a way to help in a civilian capacity

What was the most important military advancement during WWII?

The Jerry Can

Modern explosives

Photography

The Turing machine

How do you feel about NATO?

It's important, but not as important as the UN.

It's stupid, and useless. Abandon it.

It's very useful.

It's the indispensable force for peace and order in the world.

Who suffered the most during WWII?

Hitler's victims

The Russian people

The occupied people of the war

The civilians caught in the middle

Sponsored Links

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Get smarter every day! Subscribe & get 1 quiz every week.

Playing quizzes is free! We send trivia questions and personality tests every week to your inbox. By
clicking "Sign Up" you are agreeing to our
privacy policy and confirming that you are 13
years old or over.